Stockmen pleased with humane treatment of animals bill

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association is pleased that the 63rd North Dakota Legislative Assembly passed SB 2211, the humane treatment of animals bill. SB 2211 is a comprehensive rewrite of existing animal treatment laws. It builds on time-honored language by 1) defining neglect, abandonment, abuse and cruelty; 2) enumerating appropriate exemptions to distinguish legitimate acts from acts of mistreatment; 3) providing an array of penalties to match the punishment to the severity of the crime; and 4) clarifying the roles of those who must respond to animal mistreatment cases.

“This was a long, arduous process, with many twists and turns, but the NDSA remained steadfast in its resolve to produce legislation that protects all animals and the hard-working livestock producers of North Dakota. That’s what our members called upon us to do, and it is what we promised North Dakota voters throughout the Measure 5 debate,” said NDSA President Jason Zahn, a rancher from Towner, N.D.

The NDSA extends a special thank-you to Sen. Tim Flakoll, the prime sponsor of the bill; the agriculture committees of both chambers; and fellow members of the North Dakotans for Responsible Animal Care coalition that worked so hard on the bill to protect animals and animal agriculture.